Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring, 22-nucleotide, noncoding RNAs that mediate posttranscriptional gene regulation. miRNAs play an important role in many biological processes, including differentiation and development, cell signaling, and response to infection, mostly by regulating genes involved in these processes. Each miRNA can regulate one or more messenger RNA transcripts, and conversely a given mRNA can be regulated by one or more miRNAs. As a result, and despite the extensive characterization of general miRNA function, the complex role played by any given miRNA has yet to be defined completely. Functionally verifying a biological or mechanistic effect of a specific miRNA's expression remains one of the major challenges in miRNA research. Gene targets are typically first predicted with bioinformatics algorithms and then verified with functional studies. Followup to miRNA expression analyses typically involves inversely correlating miRNA and target mRNA expression after transfecting miRNA mimics, inhibitors, or target protectors. These reagents enhance or inhibit the function of a specific miRNA, thereby further suppressing or re-activating target gene expression. Success of miRNA function research relies on access to high-performance tools and technologies.